According to Antara news agency that covered the celebrations of the 1436 Hijr Sacrifice Day at several locations, such as Malang, Makassar, Palembang, Balikpapan, and Jambi, tens of thousands of Muhammadiyah members offered prayers.
Muhammadiyah members in Malang City of East Java Province held the Eid Al-Adha prayer in 57 locations of five sub-districts including Sukun, Klojen, Lowokwaru, Blimbing, and Kedung Kandang.
"The Eid Al-Adha prayer was not only held in mosques but also in several public facilities and educational centers, such as Gajayana Stadium, Malang Muhammadiyah University, Ken Arok Sport Center, Krida Budaya Park, and STIKI Campus area," Chairman of Social Service for Malang Regional Muhammadiyah Organization Husnun Djuraid remarked.
He added that not all Muhammadiyah members held a sacrifice ceremony on Wednesday. Husnun noted that some of them will hold the sacrifice day on Thursday as they were busy with work activities today.
Meanwhile, the people in Makassar City of South Sulawesi Province held the Eid Al-Adha prayer in the Muhammadiyah Missionary Center Building in Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan.
Thousands of worshippers thronged the building premises, leading to spiraling queues along the roadside.
Abdullah Renre, a preacher in Makassar Muhammadiyah Center, stated that the sacrifice worship is important for the people to remember God and to lead a devout life.
Abdullah affirmed that every Muslim must be aware that all our worldly possessions belong to God, and the owner must learn to share them with the poor people.
"Islam teaches the people to collectively share their worldly possessions with the poor people. Muslims must show concern for their brotherhood in order to be safe in the world and afterlife," Abdullah remarked.
Additionally, Muhammadiyah members in Palembang City of South Sumatra Province held the Eid Al-Adha prayer in several locations, such as Palembang Muhammadiyah University and Kuto Besak Fortress.
Antoni, a preacher presiding over the Eid Al-Adha prayer service in Palembang Muhammadiyah University, stated that Muslims can learn two important aspects such as holding Hajj worship and sacrifice ceremony from the Prophet Ibrahim, his wife Siti Hajr, and their son Ismael.
Antoni noted that the teachings of the Ibrahim family have been included in the five Islamic principles such as faith, prayer, alms, and Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
He emphasized that all our worldly possessions belong to God. Thus, humans must realize that other peoples rights must be granted through alms, infaq, religious meals, and sacrifice ceremony.
Several Muslims from Balikpapan in East Kalimantan Province also held the Eid Al-Adha prayer on Wednesday in six locations: Al Mujahiddin Islamic Boarding School, Gunung Kawi Tarbiyah Mosque, Taubah Mosque, Sunnah Mosque, Achmad Dahlan Mosque, and the Bukopin Banks parking lot.
According to Chief of South Balikpapan Sector Police Commissioner Nina Ike, 20 personnel were deployed to secure the Eid Al-Adha prayer in Bukopin Banks parking lot.
At least hundreds of people offered prayers in the Bukopin Bank area, and the service was led by Muhamad Roriq Munawi of Muhammadiyah Surabaya.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Muhammadiyah members in Jambi City prayed for the disaster to end soon.
Muhammadiyah members held a prayer at At-Takwa III Mosque of Kota Baru, the Governors office field, and Tri Lomba field amid the smog blanketing the area.
Most of the preachers on Eid Al-Adha in Jambi prayed for the end of the haze disaster.
Yong Sardi, a preacher in At-Takwa III Mosque, called on the people to be steadfast and patient in the face of the haze disaster.
Some police personnel were also deployed to secure the Eid Al-Adha prayer in several areas in Jambi.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
